Announcement from the SCH Board Chair | June 24, 2024

The following announcement was sent to the SCH community on June 24, 2024.

Dear SCH Community,

As you know, Dr. Delvin Dinkins shared with us in May that he plans to leave SCH at the end of the 2024-2025 school year for personal reasons. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Dinkins' many contributions to our community. After Dr. Dinkins had advised us of his decision, the Board of Trustees formed a search committee led by chairs Debbie Maine, Andrew Topping, and special advisor Mims Zabriskie to find the next SCH Head of School.

Today, we are honored to share that Dr. Steve Druggan will return to SCH as our next Head of School in July 2025. Many of you will remember Dr. Druggan from his previous tenure, where his leadership and vision significantly contributed to our school's growth and success. Dr. Druggan will rejoin us after serving three years as the Superintendent at the American School of Dubai (ASD). Dr. Druggan was previously the Deputy Head of School at the Jakarta Intercultural School and, before that, in international schools in Munich, Germany, and Milan, Italy.

As we began our search for a new Head of School, we found the opportunity to partner with Dr. Druggan again. It was an opportunity that neither of us could pass up. We are proud to welcome Dr. Druggan and his wife, Pia, back to SCH, starting with the 2025-26 school year.

For Dr. Druggan, SCH feels like home. He is excited to return and contribute to the success of our students and our community. For the Board of Trustees and the search committee, we are confident that we have a proven leader whose steady guidance can provide a seamless transition that will help us build on the strong foundation of the past few years.

Under Dr. Druggan's leadership, SCH found itself on firm institutional and financial ground during a period of transition and change. He helped to finalize the post-merger integration of the historic Springside School and Chestnut Hill Academy, helping SCH find and define its mission. Solidifying the combination of these two landmark institutions was no easy task. Dr. Druggan led the community through a collaborative visioning process that set new, consistent missions and values. Dr. Druggan oversaw a $34 million capital campaign that completed the second phase of the campus master plan. In collaboration with the Board of Trustees, Dr. Druggan will continue to build on our strong foundation.

Our student body greatly benefited from Dr. Druggan's tenure. His commitment to student success created an environment where students thrived academically, socially, and emotionally. Dr. Druggan successfully navigated SCH through the pandemic, keeping the school open as much as was allowed. He oversaw the opening of the Early Childhood Center and launched Horizons at SCH. Our school achieved significant CEL milestones under Dr. Druggan's leadership, including launching over 300 ventures and winning almost 50 national and international entrepreneurship honors. Dr. Druggan's counsel to individual students and his care for the community is evident, and the success of our students under his leadership was undeniable.

During his previous time with SCH, Dr. Druggan grew and nurtured our faculty and staff, providing strong guidance and leadership for the school and our faculty. His steady hand strengthened divisional identity by relocating the three academic divisions to their own campuses. Dr. Druggan will provide clear direction and leadership for our faculty and staff. 

"Pia and I are honored and humbled by the opportunity to return to Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. While we have had a tremendous experience in Dubai and at the American School of Dubai, SCH truly feels like home. The chance to be part of the team leading SCH into the future is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I have experienced firsthand the unique position SCH holds in Philadelphia. Our storied campus welcomes students from across the region, allowing them to experience centuries-old traditions while simultaneously creating the future through strong academics and unique programs such as CEL and Robotics.

I look forward to working with the extended SCH community to chart an exciting future for one of the Inter-Ac's most venerable institutions." Dr. Steve Druggan

With Dr. Druggan's selection as the next Head of School, we are confident we will have an organized and smooth transition, which will further strengthen our school and community. We look forward to a successful 2024-25 school year with Dr. Delvin Dinkins as Head of School, sharing his tremendous gifts with us and continuing to move us forward with our strategic plan process. Dr. Dinkins and Dr. Druggan will work together to ensure a seamless transition.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I thank our search Committee and everyone who has shared feedback and suggestions or provided guidance. We always welcome the opportunity to discuss SCH and the community we have built together.

Let's take this opportunity to look to the future together and to continue building an exceptional educational experience for our students and a strong community.

Sincerely, 

Patrick Lindsay 
Chair, SCH Board of Trustees